THE lives of “countless children” have been enriched by the hard work, kindness and love of Daly River elder Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann OAM.

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann, 65, has dedicated her life to helping children across the Territory reach their potential.

She was the NT’s first fully-qualified qualified Aboriginal teacher and worked as the principal of the local Catholic primary school for years.

On Friday, Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann was named the 2017 Barnardos Mother of the Year NT.

“It has been a surprise to me, I have been ecstatic about it,” she said.

“It’s the community and the children in the community that has made me who I am.

“The award belongs to them, just as much as it belongs to me.”

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann said it was important for indigenous children to connect with both their Aboriginal culture and the mainstream Western culture.

“They’ve got to understand how you live in cities and towns,” she said.

“They’ve got to be confident to live in two worlds.

“It doesn’t matter how old the children are — it could be from zero to 50, you’re always there when they’re on a high and you’re always there for them when they are on a low.”

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann was nominated by friend, Leslie Gordon, who said she was an inspiration and went above and beyond the call of duty to help children. “They all respect her and listen to her,” she said.

“She has one son and two grandchildren but she is like a mother to many others in the community and from schools all over Australia, in which she has taught. “When I observe Miriam working in the community, I see compassion and love — a natural love and pride of who she is and the need to share her culture with the new generations of children. There are countless children in the community who have been helped and mentored by this strong compassionate lady.”

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann will travel to Sydney next month to compete for the national title of Barnardos Mother of the Year.